THESSALONIKI, Greece -- The United States failed to advance to the finals of the World Junior Basketball Championships, losing to Australia 106-85 in a second-round game Wednesday.

Paul Davis, a forward at Michigan State, scored 28 points for the U.S. team, which had its five-game winning streak halted. The Americans finished third in their group behind Australia and Lithuania at 2-1.

The best possible finish for the Americans now is fifth.

"It is a very bad feeling for sure, to be left out of the battle for the medals, especially when you are undefeated during the whole tournament," U.S. coach Ernie Kent said.

"Australia is a very good team, well coached, and they showed that when you want something very much, you have a good chance to make it."

The game was tied at 21 after the first quarter, but Australia outscored the Americans 39-27 in the second period to take a 60-48 halftime lead.

Illinois guard Daniel Brown, who scored 47 points against Lithuania on Tuesday, was limited to 14 points. Oklahoma forward De'Angelo Alexander scored 15 points, and UCLA center Ryan Hollins added nine.

Aaron Bruce led Australia with 25 points.

In other games, Linas Kleiza scored 42 points to lead Lithuania to a 90-77 win over Puerto Rico; Murat Kaya scored 19 points to help Turkey to an 87-60 win over Slovenia; Korea defeated China 101-72; and Venezuela beat Angola 71-62.

Later Wednesday, Croatia was to play undefeated Greece.

The finals begin Friday.

The under-19 tournament was moved from Malaysia because of fears of severe acute respiratory syndrome.